Module Contact: Dr Doug Yu, BIO Copyright of the University of East Anglia Version 1

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1 UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA School of Biological Sciences Main Series UG Examination EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION GENETICS BIO-3C24 Time allowed: 3 hours Answer ALL questions in Section A and ONE question from Section B. Write answers to EACH SECTION in a SEPARATE booklet. The maximum number of marks available for your answers in SECTION A is 50 marks The maximum number of marks available for your answer in SECTION B is 50 marks The TOTAL number of marks available for the paper is 100 Numbers in square brackets [ ] indicate the relevant mark applied to each part of the question. Notes are not permitted in this examination. Do not turn over until you are told to do so by the Invigilator. BIO-3C24 Module Contact: Dr Doug Yu, BIO Copyright of the University of East Anglia Version 1

2 2 SECTION A: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS Answer ALL questions 1. What is epistasis? Explain with an example using population genetic theory and showing the effect of epistasis on Mendelian ratios. 2. What does the unit Darwin express in quantitative genetics? [1 mark] 3. How many mass extinctions have been documented, when did they occur and what were the likely causes of each event? [5 marks] 4. List the methods that human intervention can use to slow down the extinction rate, dividing them into global, local and species-level interventions. 5. What are the risks of captive breeding from the perspectives of population genetics and quantitative genetics? 6. What are the pros and cons, on theoretical grounds, of en masse versus gradual release of animals in reintroduction and genetic supplementation programs? 7. What are the five evolutionary forces and how does each affect genetic variation within populations and genetic differentiation between subpopulations? [5 marks] 8. A population genetic study screens 50 individuals for a single locus and finds the following frequencies of genotypes: 40 AA, 5AB and 5 BB. Give three explanations that are consistent with this result. 9. What does the Neutral Theory of evolution of Kimura (1968) propose and how is it used in molecular genetic studies? [2 marks] 10. What is the effective population size in a population that has the following census size over three consecutive generations: N=10, N=50 and N=100? 11. Calculate the genetic differentiation (FST) of two subpopulations with 50 individuals each, in which population 1 has 80 A alleles and 20 B alleles, and population 2 has 40 A alleles and 60 B alleles. Section A continues/

3 3 /Section A continued 12. Explain the three phases of evolution in Wright s Adaptive Fitness Landscape (also known as Wright s shifting balance hypothesis). 13. A mark-release-recapture experiment is performed in which survival rates are recorded for the following three genotypes: AA survival rate = 50%, AB survival rate = 50% and BB survival rate = 5%. Using population genetic theory, calculate the selection and dominance coefficients of the A and B allele. 14. What is sympatric speciation and what causes it? [2 marks] 15. Many individuals in captive wolf (Canis lupus) populations suffer from inherited blindness. Explain why this genetic disorder is so prevalent in this case using population genetic theory. 16. Name the hypothesis for why many invasive species become pests and explain what this hypothesis proposes. [2 marks] END OF SECTION A START YOUR ANSWER TO THE NEXT SECTION IN A NEW BOOKLET Section B begins on next page/... TURN OVER

4 4 SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTION Answer ONE question [50 marks] 17. Explain the population genetic and evolutionary processes that play a role during the evolution of reproductive isolation and speciation in allopatric populations, and compare and contrast them to the processes occurring during speciation in sympatric populations. 18. Explain the pros and cons of landscape corridors in conservation biology and conservation genetics, using a population genetic and evolutionary genetic framework. 19. Explain the role of hybridisation in conservation genetics and evolution. END OF PAPER

5 5 BIO-3C24 EXAMINATION MARKERS [Do not print this when printing to take to Examinations Office! This is for our information only.] Question No. 1 st Marker 2 nd Marker Section A Q1 Dr Cock van Oosterhout Dr Doug Yu 16 Section B Q17 Dr Cock van Oosterhout Dr Doug Yu Section B Q18 Dr Cock van Oosterhout Dr Doug Yu Section B Q19 Dr Cock van Oosterhout Dr Doug Yu